EQAO scores improve in some areas, slip in others

EQAO scores in Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board improved in Junior (Grade 6) reading and math, with writing remaining stable. Grade 9 Applied level math scores increased by 8%, with stable Academic level scores. Results for Primary (Grade 3) writing increased, while reading and math decreased. The assessments were written in the winter (Grade 9) and spring (Grade 3 and 6) of 2009.

“We will continue our intense focus on improving literacy and numeracy skills,” says Kathy Soule, Director of Education. “However, we know that it takes time to improve student performance. We’re not interested in short-term gain—our goal is to truly transform the literacy and numeracy achievement of our students, and it goes beyond EQAO scores.”

Overall, this is how Grade 3 students scored for Levels 3 and 4:

HPEDSB

2008-2009

(current)

Province

2008-2009

(current)

HPEDSB

2007-2008

(last year)

Reading

46

61

50

Writing

53

68

51

Math

53

70

55

Overall, this is how Grade 6 students scored for Levels 3 and 4:

HPEDSB

2008-2009

(current)

Province

2008-2009

(current)

HPEDSB

2007-2008

(last year)

Reading

62

69

57

Writing

52

67

52

Math

50

50

47

Overall, this is how Grade 9 students scored for Levels 3 and 4:

HPEDSB

2008-2009

(current)

Province

2008-2009

(current)

HPEDSB

2007-2008

(last year)

Applied Math

49

38

41

Academic Math

76

77

76

Observations

Grade 3 and 6 scores are mixed. In Grade 3 reading there was a 4% decrease as compared to no change in provincial results. Grade 3 writing showed a 2% increase, mirroring the province. There was also a 2% decrease in Grade 3 math as compared to a 2% provincial increase.

There are concerns about the lack of progress in Grade 3 reading. Intensive supports have been in place in recent years and will continue for this school year. Even so, it is important for parents/guardians and the public to understand that improving achievement levels takes time.

Grade 6 reading showed a 5% increase, surpassing the provincial growth. It is important to note that Grade 6 cohort, meaning that the students who wrote EQAO in May 2009 were the same students who were in Grade 3 in 2005-2006, demonstrated an 8% increase in reading. Grade 6 writing remained the same as last year, mirroring the province. Grade 6 math indicated a 3% increase as compared to a 2% provincial increase.

Grade 9 math results continue to indicate gains. At the Applied Level, results increased by 8%, outperforming the province by 11%. Academic Level results remained unchanged at 76%. The five-year trend for Grade 9 math showed significant increases in the Applied stream where the percentage of students achieving the provincial standard went from 37% in 2004-2005 to 49% in 2008-2009.

“We’re not going to be deterred. We know we’re on the right track and we’re going to stay the course,” remarks Carl Pitman, Chair of the Board. “We believe in our students and their ability to achieve.”

Next steps Board officials have tools in place to conduct deep analysis of student assessments. The data provides information—information which is then turned into knowledge. That knowledge defines the strategies that will best meet each student’s needs to ensure that they learn and achieve their full potential.

Three focus areas for the 2009-2010 school year include the following:

READING – Students will independently use higher-order thinking skills to improve reading comprehension.

WRITING — Enhance learning and performance for non-fiction writing, such as writing letters, reports, menus and age-appropriate technical procedures (i.e. how to build a snowman for Primary students) for an intended purpose and audience.

MATH – Students will independently solve problems using a variety of strategies in number sense and numeration.

Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board serves approximately 16,200 students each day at 46 elementary and eight secondary schools. Supporting student achievement is the goal of approximately 1,800 teaching and support staff who, in addition to the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners, share their passion for teaching and learning. The district covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.